Wheat takes shape

Thursday

Jun 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Tim Unruh

The Salina Journal Another splash of rain and a few more days of mild temperatures have farmers thinking their wheat's in good shape. The all-important period when green berries wrapped in the heads are transforming to grain is tracking toward a good harvest, at least in north-central Kansas. But the crop needs a lot more of the right conditions to ensure the good yields that are unfolding in the fields.

Don't ask Tom Maxwell to predict a top crop yet. "I don't want to jinx it," said Maxwell, the agricultural Extension agent in Saline and Ottawa counties. So far, all of the "yield components" are in line for good results, he said. "In the really good fields, I'm seeing good head density, nice head size," Maxwell said. One key is the number of berries in a row, or "mesh." Two in a mesh foretells an average crop, he said, but there are other variables, such as head size. "If we get three berries per mesh, we're going to see some pretty good yields," Maxwell said. "The moisture and milder temperatures would lead me to believe we'll start to fill the third berries." More berries can mean higher yields, and Steve Clanton, a farmer between Minneapolis and Ada in Ottawa County, is noticing good things in his crop. "The third berry in the mesh is filling, and possibly a fourth, which will help the yield," he said. Farmer Gary Olson sees a good crop taking shape on land he farms in eastern Saline County. "The weather's been pretty conducive to fill. I think we've got enough moisture to get the wheat crop to harvest," he said. He received 1.4 inches near Kipp in a storm that passed through early Wednesday morning. Clanton reported 3.6 inches over the past four days. Salina Regional Airport received 0.76 of an inch early Wednesday. The range in Dickinson County was 0.44 in the east to 1.35 southwest of Abilene; 0.62 to 1.24 inches in Ellsworth County; up to 1.69 inches in Russell County and 1.96 inches in southeastern Graham County. There is a chance for more rain this weekend. But it won't stay this ideal for long. High temperatures are predicted to reach into the middle to upper 70s today and Friday, but by Saturday, the forecast calls for 80-degree highs, near 90 on Sunday and hotter at times next week. Maxwell said the berries should be far enough along to withstand the heat by the middle of next week. Nothing is for sure until the crop is tucked safely in the bin. Clanton said some of his wheat fields sustained from 3 to 4 percent damage, but another field showed 10 to 15 percent damage. As of Wednesday, he said, "I thinking it could be average to slightly above average (yield), 38 to 42 bushels (to the acre)." Fields in the Delphos Co-op Association area showed good potential Wednesday, said Zeb Larson, general manager. "We're in good shape as long as we keep missing the hail storms," he said. Last week's storm that produced an EF4 tornado in southern Ottawa County was "a little too close for comfort," Larson said. A disease known as bacterial streak is showing up in some fields, primarily on the edges that are susceptible to high winds, hard rains and blowing dirt that pelts the leaves and causes "small tissue wounds," Maxwell said. The wounds provide a way for bacteria to enter, producing brown leaf tips (see the picture with this story). "Anything that affects the health of the upper leaf has got to have some impact on yield," he said. Despite that malady, wheat development conditions are optimal in north-central Kansas. "The potential's there. We've got a little more as far as filling, to finish off this crop," Maxwell said. Farther west, however, potential changes. Farmer Jerry McReynolds was happy to report 0.45 of an inch of rain, "which is a nice thing for us. We've been getting a little bit, but not anything big." Unlike areas of north-central Kansas, McReynolds' farm in Rooks and Osborne counties is thirsty, with little or no moisture stored in the subsoil. Ponds are dry and cattlemen are hauling water. "It's just kind of a hand-to-mouth deal," he said. "If we continue to get rains, we'll cut some wheat. If it doesn't rain, it'll shrivel up and run out of gas."

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